World Series champion Octavio Dotel died in a widely publicized disaster in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday.
According to the AP: “At least 58 people died and 160 others were injured in the Dominican capital early Tuesday when the roof collapsed at an iconic nightclub where politicians, athletes and others were attending a merengue concert…”
The Cardinals posted: “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Octavio Dotel.
Dotel was part of our 2011 World Series championship team after being acquired at the trade deadline that season. In 29 games with us, he was a steadying presence in our bullpen, pitching a 3.65 ERA with 32 strikeouts, 3 wins and 2 saves to help jumpstart our magical run to our 11th World Series title.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Octavio’s loved ones and to all impacted by the tragedy in the Dominican Republic.”
Dotel came to the Cardinals in the Colby Rasmus trade on July 27, 2011. Rasmus was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays along with P. J. Walters, Brian Tallet, and Trever Miller for Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel, Marc Rzepczynski, and Corey Patterson.
There were other MLB connections to the tragedy. A second former MLB player, Tony Blanco, 43 also died in the nightclub collapse; as did Nelsy Cruz, the sister of seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz.
Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement today regarding the passings of longtime Major League pitcher Octavio Dotel, fellow former Major Leaguer Tony Blanco, and Nelsy Cruz, the Governor of the Dominican Republic’s Monte Cristi province and the sister of longtime Major League player and current MLB Special Advisor to Baseball Operations Nelson Cruz, in Tuesday morning’s tragedy in Santo Domingo:
“Major League Baseball is deeply saddened by the passings of Octavio Dotel, Tony Blanco, Nelsy Cruz, and all the victims of last night’s tragedy in Santo Domingo. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family. The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today.”
